Randy Jackson out at 'American Idol'

CaptionHarry Connick Jr.

Frank Micelotta / Associated Press

Years on the show: 1. Singer Harry Connick Jr., who acted as a mentor for the top 5 finalists in 2010, will appear on the upcoming season of "American Idol" as a judge. Connick, along with Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban, will make up the panel on Season 13 of "American Idol."

Years on the show: 1. Singer Harry Connick Jr., who acted as a mentor for the top 5 finalists in 2010, will appear on the upcoming season of "American Idol" as a judge. Connick, along with Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban, will make up the panel on Season 13 of "American Idol." (Frank Micelotta / Associated Press)

Years on the show: 3. Despite revealing her departure in 2012, just one day after co-judge Steven Tyler announced his departure from "Idol," pop star Jennifer Lopez is back to judge Season 13.

Years on the show: 3. Despite revealing her departure in 2012, just one day after co-judge Steven Tyler announced his departure from "Idol," pop star Jennifer Lopez is back to judge Season 13. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Years on the show: 2. Keith Urban first appeared on "Idol" during the season 8 finale to perform his 2009 hit "Kiss a Girl" as a duet with eventual winner Kris Allen. As a judge, the country star's quiet and kind demeanor has made him a fan favorite. He's the sole returning judge from last...

Years on the show: 2. Keith Urban first appeared on "Idol" during the season 8 finale to perform his 2009 hit "Kiss a Girl" as a duet with eventual winner Kris Allen. As a judge, the country star's quiet and kind demeanor has made him a fan favorite. He's the sole returning judge from last... (Evan Agostini / Invision / Associated Press)

Randy Jackson, the only judge who has been on "American Idol" since the beginning, is leaving the show.

In a statement to the press, Jackson confirmed that, "After 12 years of judging on 'American Idol' I have decided it is time to leave after this season. I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry. It's been a life changing opportunity but I am looking forward to focusing on my company Dream Merchant 21 and other business ventures."

Jackson's departure comes a day after a report that all four "Idol" judges would be let go before the next season. The once-mighty singing competition series has been on the wane in recent years, with this season bringing the second straight year of double-digit declines in audience.

The other current judges are Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and Keith Urban. Jackson has been a steady presence on the show, which has seen quite a bit of upheaval at the judge's table in recent years. Original judges Paula Abdul left in 2009 and Simon Cowell departed in 2010 to focus on his own competing series, "The X Factor."

Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler have also joined the jovial Jackson as judges.

While other judges have gained reputations for being harsh (Cowell), unpredictable (Abdul) or bringing outside drama onto the show (the reported Carey-Minaj feud), Jackson has remained upbeat and largely drama-free.

While Fox has not commented on the reports of the judges leaving, the network is presenting its new lineup to advertisers next week in New York City and could address the show's future at that time.

A story about people who love one another made by people who clearly love one another, "Parks and Recreation" ended its seven-season, zigzag run through prime time Tuesday night on NBC. In the final shot, star Amy Poehler, as public servant Leslie Knope, faced the camera, all aglow, and...

The finale of "Parks and Recreation" aired on NBC on Tuesday night, and in a bold move, the show went further into the future than it already had in its final season, revealing what the public servants of Pawnee, Ind., would be doing decades from now.

Grammy Award-winner Patti LaBelle and Michael Sam, the NFL's first openly gay draft pick, are two of the 11 celebrities announced Tuesday as part of the upcoming 20th season of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars."